1 Killed, 3 Hurt In A Night Of 3 Separate Shootings

September 14, 1992|By Jim Leusner Of The Sentinel Staff

Three unrelated shootings under a full moon in Orlando early Sunday claimed the life of one man and seriously injured three others, police said.

The worst happened about 3 a.m. outside an apartment at 5852 Sundown Circle when Michael John Wert, 19, of Orlando, was shot in the chest by an unknown assailant. Wert and a friend were leaving their car when another man approached them and a brief argument broke out, said Orlando police Lt. Jerry Demings.

Wert, the son of a retired Orlando policeman, was pronounced dead on arrival at Orlando Regional Medical Center. The assailant, who was white, age 17 to 20, about 5-foot-10, 130 pounds with black hair, wore a red baseball jersey and blue jeans. He was last seen fleeing in a late-1970s to early-1980s, low-riding red Toyota Corolla with three other males. Another car, a 1970s white Monte Carlo with two men inside, also fled from the scene after the shooting.

Police spokeswoman Mary Ann Salazar said authorities have no motive for the shooting.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Crimeline 423-TIPS. Callers are eligible for a reward up to $1,000.

About two hours earlier at 1:20 a.m., two brothers were shot outside the Trax nightclub at 7552 Republic Drive near International Drive.

Rodney Burton, 21, was shot in the head while brother Elijah Burton, 23, was wounded in the arm and side. The two Orlando men were shot after a fight with two other men, Demings said.

Two suspects fled the scene in a late 1970s model blue Oldsmobile. Both Burtons are listed in stable condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Shortly after 1 a.m., a fast-food restaurant manager was shot when he struggled with an armed suspect wearing a ski man.

Phillip Bahill, 36, was listed in serious condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center after being shot in the chest. Bahill had just closed Fazoli's Italian Restaurant, 3922 E. Colonial Drive, when he was walking to his car with a drink and some food.

An assailant approached him and demanded money, but Bahill threw the drink and food at the suspect. Bahill was shot once and the suspect ran away, Demings said. Bahill drove to a nearby Bennigan's restaurant and called for help.

''Last night was a challenging night for police officers in the City of Orlando,'' Demings said.